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I How To Sell Fancy Work I 



:BY: 



MRS. ETTA SCHOOLEY 



: PRICE $1.00 : 

( \i':\ ''-»'• *u COPYRIGHT 1915 ••••./!«!:''• 



How To Sell Fancy Work 



:BY: 



MRS. ETTA SCHOOLEY 



PRICE $1.00 






MAR (8 1915 

©CI, A 39398 4 

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I.et me .=;av to vou first of all that I l)elievc each and every exchancje men- 
tioned in this hook will give voii all the assistance in their power if you earnesth' 
li"\- to co-operate with them. 

rhev are doing a v^onderful work along this line and standing as they flo 
Ijetween tlie ]M-oducer ;uid ])urchaser of fancy work, their knowledge of the re- 
ijuirements of the Imyer is practical and of much \a!ue to the producer. 

These exchariges cover a very wide held, and a careful study of this little 
■•oUime will result in \-our hnding a ready market for any well made, tasteful 
article which you ma_\- make in your own home, the class of work popularly 
kiK )wn as fancy worl; 

The exchanges ha\e been carrying (ju this splendid- work for years, some 
for niore than thirtv. 'J hey ha\e taught luany women the dignitv of work. They 
are far past the experimental stage. 



It would be impossible for me to tell you, personally, what to make, but I do 
sav this to you : do the thing you can do best, and strive to improve it all the time. 

The splendid women in charge of these salesrooms strive to cultivate the 
creative faculty of women. The woman who can devise something different and 
attractive is almost sure to have her line sold. As most exchanges do not allow 
one consignor to copy another's original work, the field practically belongs to the 
one woman so long as she desires to hold it. Any sort of novelty for which there 
is a use will ])n)1)ably be sold readily. 

Most exchanges receive all salal^le articles made by women. The salaliility 
of an article depends on the locality to some extent. The sea.sons also aft'ect 
saiability. 



$ 



Ilmt Ja iSrqmrrii nf thr (Unnatgmn* 



Firsl — A f( rmal ai'])licati(>n. 

Second — 'J^lic sending of a sam])lc of work for inspection. 

Third — xA.greement of business proposition as to percentage retained l)y the 
excliange, release of the exchange from claims in case of theft, fire or unavoidable 
destruction. 

77/r Proper 11 'ay to Proceed— '>v\e<:t from the list of exchanges in this book 
one or two only which a])])eal to \<)U for an\' reas n\ or reasons. Write them a 
letter asking how \'ou may become a consigner, and enclose a stamped self-ad- 
dressed envelope for repl)'. This is important, as otherwise vour letter would ' 
remain unanswered. In reply tlu'\' will send you a copy of their rules. Should 
'.hex- ad\isc you that sa.les were light at present and discourage you from sending! 
work, try another one. Do not join a number of them, as that would only in-i 
crease the expense ro \ou and would pr()ba])!y not increase \'our sales. After \ 
you have received rules that are agreeable for you to work under, send them a , 
sample of your work for ip.s])ection. Attach the price for which you wish to seW 
it. If they do not tind it acceptable, ask them the reason. This package should | 
also contain your stamped self-addressed euA'elope for their reply. If, for anv 
reason, they do not accept it, do not get discouraged or lose patience. Improve it 
or try something else. 



I am going to quote a few paragraphs from one set of rules which you will 
find duplicated in many others: 

"Use vour utmost endeavors to bring your work to the iiighest possible 
standard. If we are not successful in disposing of your work it may be in a 
measure your own fault. 

'There is an almost unlimited sale for dainty and exquisite articles, and in 
these days of progression we must remember if we do not furnish them someone 
else will. A word to the wise is sufficient." 

\^ni will have to l)e guided in your judgment by the kind of work you can 
do well. 

When an exchange accepts your work the next step is to send them a remit- 
tance for the small amount they charge for a year's membership privilege. This 
varies from $1.00 to $3.00. with the majority charging $1.00. 

Do vour best work. Be sure that each article is the best of its kind before 
you send it, or you may have the discouraging experience that I had in the early 
(lavs of my exchange work. 1 made a beautiful piece of embroidery and into its 
many stitches I wove many a hope of financial reward, but to my disappointment 
1 never sold it. There was a flaw in the weaving of the material, but in my desire 
to get started and because the flaw was very slight, I ignored the imperfection 
and used the material. The exchange accepted it, but after it was a year on their 



shelves they returned it to me, 1 tried again and again to sell it, but never suc- 
ceeded. In the meantime I niade and disp.oscd of many other articles. 

As a rule an article must stand two tests, aside froiu being excellentlv done. 

Is it seasonable? 

Is it practical ? 

The exchanges are all agreed that the demand for well made seasonable no\ - 
cities is unlimited. Ihey all encourage the making of well-made original articles; 
so if you ha\e a home-made to\' f(»r the l)al)y that has pro\en a success in your 
own home, b}- all means send them one f<ir inspection. It ma\- solve your problem 
entirely. Remembering alwaxs. material and work must be good and good taste 
must be used in combining work. Any sort of novelty for which there is a use 
will i)roi)ably sell \ery readily. 

])o not burden the exchanges with unnecessary questions, and always send 
the necessary postage for a reply when asking them for information. 

When you iire so successful as to gain a reputation for yourself for good 
work, maintain that rei)Utation by bringing the work on each article to its highest 
possible standard. 

Idle associations are always ready to help by suggestions and instructions, 
wiienever practical, to any one whose w(jrk is not up to their standard if they 
show themselves capable of better work. 

The associati'.Mi- which do not charge any membership fee arc liked bv many 



women who do not have the necessary faith in the excellence of their work or 
llieir abilit)' to meet a public need to buy a consignor's ticket. Personally I should 
not be in sympathy with this lack of assurance. 

There is one class of work above all others in which the demand exceeds the 
supplv. This is plain hand sewing. Fewer and fewer women are doing it. This 
is a sensible and practical suggestion to the woman who is looking for a real op- 
iKM-tunitv. Learn to take reallv fine and exact stitches. 



$ 



Arttrlra (llnmmintlii JFintn^ tu i>aigHrnmnH 

.'Iprous—^ .75 to $3.00. 

There is a wonderful \ariet\- in aprons, ranj^nni;- from the dainlx little trifle 
of ribbon and laee to the substantial bungalow and housework apron. A new 
cliaiing dish apron of 20-inch white crash embroidered in a simple cross-stitch 
design across front and bib is made of one and one-half \ards of materia! and 
sells for $2.00. 

.-.'/(//u///j^~$3.00 to $7.00. 

For l)al)ies and inxa.lids. in crochet or knitting. 

ihiby Bcloi!giii.<is—$ .25 to $500.00. 

What a riot of choice for th.e l)eautifiil fashioning of daint\- articles for the 
l).'iby and such ready sales as the\' find. 

i '.aby caps $1.00 to $ 5.00 

]'.aby dresses $1.00 to S20.00 

Habv sacques ..." SI .00 to $ 3.00 

Baby socks $ .25 to $ 1 00 

Baby kimonos $2.00 to $ 8.00 

Baby bibs $ .25 to $ 3 00 

Baby pillow cases $ .75 to $ 3 00 



Let me mention here the Httle cases made with both ends open and scalloped 
and embroidered. They are beautiful dainty and different. 

Baby coats, $5.00 to $15.00. 

Baby toys. 

Creeping blankets. 

Decorated screens for shielding the crib. 

Baby dolls. 

Dainty chairs upholstered in cretonne. 
There is an almost endless array of beautiful, easily-made articles in this 
list that should appeal to the home worker who has the desire and the ability to 
make baby clothes for sale. 
Bead JJ\)rk. 
Bags — Here also the assortment is endless. 

Bags of every color. 

Bags of every shape. 

Bags of velvet and silk. 

Bags of cotton and cretonne. 

Bags of linen and lace. 

Ribbon bags. 

Hand bags. 

C)|)era glass bags. 



Baskets. 



Boxes. 



Sewing bags. 
Darning bags. 
Laundry bags. 
Button bags. 



Scraj) baskets. 

Sewing baskets. 

Fruit baskets. 

Card baskets. 

Crocheted lace baskets, w liich are excep- 
tionally beautiful. 

Darning baskets. 

Baskets decc^rated with embroidery and 
stencil. 

Baskets cloth covered and those made 
of raftia. 



Folding hat boxes. 
Candy boxes. 
Button boxes. 



Boxes lend themselves so easily to beautiful decoration. Very beautiful are 
the boxes for use on the dresser, cloth covered and decorated with cross stitch. 

Caps. 

Boudoir caps, $ .75 to $3.00. Made of lace, net. embroidery. riblxMi, and 

\ariously decorated. 
Baby caps. 

Children's caps, both for little boys and girls. 
Collars and Cuffs. 

In submitting collars and cuffs, as in everything else, let vour offering be up- 
to-date in shape, material and decoration. Up-to-the-minute neckwvar is a big 
seller, while behind-the-minute never catches up. 
Centerpieces. 

Embroidered , $1.50 to $28.00 

Mexican drawn $3.00 to $10.00 

Domestic drawn $1.50 to $ 6.00 

Lace $4.00 to $12.00 

Crochet $1.50 to $ 5.00 

C ases. 

Cases for veils. 

Cases for handkerchiefs. 

Cases for gloves. 



Cases for gowns. 

Card cases, in silk, linen and suede. 

Cross-stitch. 

Cross-stitch is a very popular form of embroidery and shows no indications 
of any lessening popularity. It is used to decorate all sorts of household linens, 
lunch cloths, both guest and family size towels, napkins, dresser scarfs, curtains, 
cushions and many other articles are made more beautiful with this charming 
embroidery. , ,.^ 

t rochet. 

This is also po|)ular and is used to decorate household linens, also under- 
wear, and entire bed spreads are made of it. (I should rather make smaller 
articles which would probably sell more readily and bring quicker returns.) 
Candleshadcs—^ .50 to $15.00. 

These are made in every style of different beautiful materials. Hammered 
l)rass, lace, beads and satin are some of the popular ones. 
Dolls. 

Here is where ingenuity counts. There is such a surprising number of orig- 
inal designs and one exchange has them for $ .40 to $6.00. One woman covers 
len-pins with clothes and makes dolls of dift'erent nationalities. These sets have 
been good sellers for her. 



Clothes pin and wish bone dolls are novel. Hot water bottle babies are one 
woman's idea. 

Doilies. 

Doilies are made in drawn work, both Mexican and domestic, crochet and 
lace braids, embroidered and knitted. They are made in sets of six and twelve 
and sold separately, also. 

Mexican drawn $3.00 to $20.00 per dozen 

Crochet $«5-00 to $10.00 per dozen 

Embroidered $3.00 to $20.00 per dozen 

Avoid over elaborate designs, as they seldom pay snfticient returns for the 
time spent on them. 

Embroidery. 

Embroidery is the strong feature of every sales room. In fact all-white 
embroidery is the staple product. Styles come and go. but a beautiful piece of 
white embroidery has a charm that never lessens. 
Fans. 

I'az'ors for Parties. 

Just another hint to the original, resourceful woman. 

Gacst-Room Accessories. 

Towels, pillow cases, scarfs, sofa and chair cushions, and curtains are liked 



i( 



iriniiiKMl with iK-nistitch- 



(-in'Droidered in color l)v many women who like colored embroidery, but bnd that 
It IS not substantial enough for every-day family wear on account of the fre(jueni 
II ips it must make to the laundry when so used. 

fiosc. embroidered. 

!iaiidkercliiefs—$ .50 to $10.00. 

Handkerchiefs are embroidered in white and d 
mg. buttonholed scallops, and tatting, and initialed. I had rather make six hand- 
kerchiefs to sell for $5.00 than one to sell for that amount. However, if you are 
sure of the beauty and excellence of your work, I would not discourage you from 
making the expensive kind, for Uners of beautiful hand work are ever on the 
lookout for rare and exquisite articles. 

flcwstitchiiuj. 

This is discussed more fully under ( )rder Work. 

.'fats. 

Children's sun hats are perhaps the best sellers and new designs are continu- 
ally sought, x^nother hint to the inventive woman. 
/// itial Embroidery. 

( .See ( )rder Work. ) 
Jabots. 

Idiis dainty neckwear is made of a great variety of material, lace, net, tatting. 



crochet, ribbon, silk, flowers and velvet are used. Good style, good taste and nice 
needlework are essential. 

Jackets. 

Combing jackets of Japanese toweling. 

Combing jackets of Turkish toweling, crocheted trimmed. 

Dressing jackets of lawn, linen, lace and silk, and decorated with ribbon or 
embroidery, or both. 

Knitting. 

This substantial work is especially favored right now and much practical 
work is being sold by the exchanges to tlie Belgian relief committees. 

Knitted baby bootees, 35c to $1.00. 

Knitted children's caps. 

Knitted jackets for babies and ladies. 

Shawls and sweaters. 

Bedspreads. 

Doilies. 

Lace by the yard. 

Kinionos. 

\<ov infants, children and ladies. $2.50 to $10.00. 



j'.itiiclieon Sets. 

These are made in cross stitch, crochet, white and colored emhroidery, simple 
or elaborate, and consist of centerpiece, doilies and napkins. 

Lampshades. 

(See Candle Shades.) • , . ■ • ■ . . 

Lavrf/r^— $50.00 to $500.00. ..•••,■. 

Lace. • - . • 

By the vard. ' • .. . " . 

Me.vieaii Dra^vmvork. 

Much used in handkerchiefs, household linens, underwear, children's dresses 
and many other articles. 

Noz'elties. 

An item at which the clever ingenious woman may try her creative skill. 
Favors for children's and grown up's parties. Place cards. Novelty cases for 
fleserts. 

Napkins. 

Truncheon size, decorated in cross-stitch or white embnMderv hemmed or 
^calloped. 

Nursery ,}ccessories. 



Order J Fork 

Through the exchanges and by paying the usual percentage you may obtain 
order work if vou send samples of your skill and hold yourself in readiness to 
fill orders promptly. The work nuist all be as good as in the sample sent. Orders 
for plain sewing of many descriptions are secured. Hemstitching is often desired 
by the customer. Mending. It is necessary to live in the same town where the ex- 
change is located to take advantage of this work. Layettes. Sometimes the sub- 
mitting of a few dainty baby garments results in orders for complete layettes for 
the tiny newcomers. One New York City exchange has furnished them as high 
as $500 00. 

Plain hemming of table linen. 

Napkins $1-23 to $1..^0 per dozen 

Cloths, medium size for $0./.i 

Pillou's. 

Baby pillows. 

Sofa pillows of many kinds. 

Pillow cases. 
Photograph Frames. 

l^iiiciishioits 

l^incushions are of as many kinds and sizes and shapes as bags. A great 
\arietv of materials are used. 



Ri((js. 

The home maker of artistic rugs should find a ready market for her wares for 
home-made rugs have heen very popular. 

Ribbon .irticlcs. 

Jabots, girdles, hags, ])illo\vs, opera hoods, cases for toilet articles. Making 
these is a profitable undertaking for the woman with nimble fingers and good 
taste. 

Ribbon Embroidery. 

This is a beautiful and profitable art. 
Scicinc/ Baskets. 
Seii'ing Stands 

Sewing Accessories of all kinds. 
Shirfzcaists. 

(Make these onlv in the late stvles.) 
They are quoted at $4.00 to $25.00. 
l^rays. 

Tooled Leather Goods— $4.00 to $25.00. 
Desk accessories. 
Library table accessories. 
Cases for cards, etc. 



Toys. 

Only a clever inventive woman can make a decided success in this line, but 
it is being done. 

Tabic Covers. 

Luncheon cloths in white. 

Between meal covers in odd shapes in tans and browns. 

Library table covers. 

These covers are most attractive fashioned of so many kinds of materials 
and work. Tapestry, silk, linen and canvas decorated with embroidery of different 
styles are seen. 

Undcnvcar. 

Machine and hand made. 
Decorated with crochet, tatting and em- 
broidery. 
Night gowns. 

Petticoats, petticoat ruffles. 
Chemise. 
Corset covers. 
Combination suits. 



Vacation Conveniences for the woman who travels. 

Magazine covers. J^ubber Hned cases for toilet articles. 

Veils. 

H'riting Desk Con^'cniences. 

Cardboard. Cardboard, cloth covered. 

Tooled leather. 

Woolen Goods. 

Slippers $1.00 to $ 2.50 

Shawls $3.00 to $ 4.00 

Sweaters $5.00 to $10.00 

Caps $ .75 to $ 2.00 

The prices quoted in this book are in no case arbitrary but are given that you 

may be informed what some work in the different lines is being sold for. 

Be guided by your judgment and remember that an article reasonably priced 

will meet with quicker sales than one priced unreasonably. 

Prepare and send in your work for holiday sales early. Holiday time around 

the exchanges is an exceptionally busy time and many of them find it impossible 

to mark and display new things that come in during December. November is the 

proper time to enter work for the Christmas sales. 

Except for the notations under each exchange name the rules for sending 

work are practically as follows : 

_ 



Consignor must send sample of work with price attached for inspection. 

In sending work for sale or samples for order work the price must always be 
attached. 

Consignor must prepay postage on all packages sent. 

In asking for the return of unsold work postage must be included for its 
return. 

Only one person may enter goods on one ticket. 

Worsted goods generally not received between June and October but order 
work is promptly executed. 



$ 



iirrrtunt0 fnr fHaktng UfaiMirrrhtrf 



For this handkerchief J use organdie or French lawn at about 60 cents a yard. 
One yard will make nine handkerchiefs. They should be about eleven inches when 
finished. Linen at 7? cents to $1.00 a yard will sell for more. Cut straight by 
pulling a thread about one-half inch larger than finished hadkerchief. Then one- 
fourth inch from each edge pull one thread. Take goods carefully between thumb 
and finger and roll a tiny hem out of this quarter inch edge being particular to roll 
the corners square and smooth. With a fine needle and No. 100 cotton thread 
fasten this roll hem down again, being most careful with the corners. I use an 
embroidery thread in skeins in cok:)r, six ply which is very dainty, and launders 
quite well. I roll this on an empty spool one thread at a time. The first skein 
goes slowly but you soon get the knack of it. Take a very fine crochet hook, 
fasten the thread in the hem and make ten single crochet in the hem, leaving fotir 
or five threads between each single, then chain three for a picot, make ten singles 
and chain three, taking care that a picot conies exactly at each corner. Go around 
the handkerchief just once, fasten threads neatly and the handkerchief is done. 
It is i)erfectly ]ilain but you will be surprised at its beauty. It is the simplicity 
and daintiness that give it charm. You can buy the regular crochet thread in 
colors in No 70 but it is not so fine and may not sell so well. Do not soil in 
making and carefully press when finished. 



IE X r li a n 5 r s an h ^aitBtoanxB 



Portland Exchange for Women's Work, 

186 5th Street, Portland, Oregon. 
Charges — $1.00 annual payment. 

$2.00 annual payment to non-residents. 
10^ commission to home consignors. 
20^0 commission to out of state consignors. 
Help in the way of advice and suggestion will l)e given when work does not 
sell readily or is not accepted. 

Woman's Exchange of Chicago, 

67 East Madison St., Chicago, 111. 
Charges — $2.00 annual payment. 

$3.00 annual payment out of state consignors. 
15% commission. 

Pillows, wax paper and feather flowers, hair, tissue paper and point lace, bed 
spreads, slumber robes and battenburg not accepted. Holds out of town sales. 



Tlie Ladies Depository Association, 

114 South 17th Street, l^hiladelphia. Pa. 
Charges — $2.00 annual payment. 

\5^/c commission. j 

I'lain sewing and menchng a feature. 

Woman's Exchange, 

1104-1106 Wahiut Street, Kansas City, Mo. 
Charges — $1.00 annual payment. 
20"/^ CDmmission. 

Woman's Industrial Union, 

415 Milwaukee Street, Milwaukee, Wis. 
Charges — $1.00 amuial i)ayment. 

\5(/c commission. 
Women not desiring to purchase memhership ticket may pay 20^ commis- 
sion on sales instead. 

Exchange Department of the Business W^omen's Club, 
Walnut Street near Fifth, Louisville, Ky. 
Charges — $1.00 a }'ear for self-supporting women. 
$2.00 annual payment for all others. 
10% commission on sales. 



Woman's Exchange, 

Newark, N. J. 
Charges — $1.00 annual i)a}ment. 
109f commission. 

No consignors received outside of New Jersey. 

\A'onian's Exchange, 

535 North Grand Avenue, St. Ijmis. Mo. 
Charges — No annual payment. 
lO^r c<^mmission. 

( )nc of llicir rules says: "There is almost an unlimited demand for l)eautiful 
and artistic handwork, for daintv home cooking, and if we do not furnish them 
some one else will. Rememher there is always room at the top." 

Woman's h'xchange, 

573 Fourteenth Street, ( )aklan(l, California. 
Charges — $1.50 annual ])ayment. 
\5''/f commission. 

Reasons for not accejUing work will he given when requested. Help, in the 
way of advice given, wh.en Vsork is not accepted or does not sell readily. 



Tv'onians ['Exchange. 

Birmingham, Ala. 
Charges — $1.50 annual payment. 

10*^, commission. 
If C(tnsignors over-value nv under-xalue their work the Society Committee 
will inform theiu of the a\erage market value of siiuilar ])ieces. 

The Woman's Work Exchange, 

Endicott Arcade, St. T'aul. Minn. 
Charges — $1.00 annual payment. 
10^, commission. 

Woman's Industrial Exchange, 

333 North Charles Street, Baltimore, Md. 
Charges — $1.00 annual payment. 

lO'/r commission. 

Woman's Exchange, 

Cincinnati, ( )hio. 
Charges — $2.50 annual payment. 

10% commission. 
Wax and leather flowers, hair and leather work, splatter and splinter work-, 
and cardhoard not accepted. 



Christian Woman's Exchange, 

Cor. South and Camp Streets, New Orleans. T.a. 
Charges — $2.00 annual payment. 

lO'/r commission. 
W ax and feather flowers and cardboard work not received. 

Woman's Exchange, 

Detroit, Mich. 
Charges — $1.50 annual i)ayment. 
\5^/r commission. 
20''/r commission during special out-of-town sales. 

Woman's Exchange, 

6S7 Main Street, Ruffal(\ N. Y. 
Charges — $1.00 annual i)avinent. 

20 '/r commission. 
No consignor may enter more than ten articles at one time. 

'loving WOn urn's Christian Associati(^n Needlework Department, 
14 Wen -I5tli Sireet. New York. 
Charges — $2.00 annual payment. 

10^ commission. 
( onsi.gnors must be residents of New York v"^'tv or its vicinitN 



woman's F.xcliange, 

P. (). Box 503. St. Augustine, Fla. 
Charges — $1.00 annual payment. i ' 

lO^r commission. 

Handwork Shop, 

264 Boylston Street. Boston, Mass. 
Charges — No annual payment. 

25''^ commission. 
Each article sent must he enclosecl in a plain white box of proper size. 

West End Exchange and Industrial Union. 
169 West 74th Street, New York. 
Charges — $3.00 annual i)ayment. 

10^. commission. 
All linen embroideries must be mounted on thin cardboard. 

Woman's Industrial ILxchange, 

214 ( )liver .\venue, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
Charges — $2.00 annual payment. 
10^ commission. 

Articles neatly boxed are kept in better condition and find readier sales. 
Fine hand sewing is made a specialty. 



Alaflison Avenue Exchange, 

Between 56th and 57th Streets, New York. 
Charges — $3.00 annual payment. 
10'^';;^; commission. 

The Deoorr-tive Art Association, 

J 4 East 34th Street, New York. 
Cliarges -No annual ])ayment. 
2S^/( commission. 

New York Exchange for Women's Work, 
334 Madison A\'e., New York. 
Charges — $2.00 annual ])ayment. 
10' /f commission. 

Richmond Exchange for Women's Work, 

Cor. Third and Eranklin Streets, Richmond, \'a. 
Charges — $1.00 annual jiayment. 
15'/r commission. 

As most of the Exchanges only accc])t work from women of moderate 
means, women who must sup|)ort themselves, and women who find it necessar\' 
to help with, the family expenses and are maintained for the henetit of such 
worthy women, it is hoth pleasant and ])rofitahle to work with them. 



